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Our firefighters want to save lives as first responders for the Ambulance Service – Mac Lochlainn

Donegal Sinn Féin Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has
repeated his support for the call from firefighters in Donegal and across the
State for them to act as first responders for the National Ambulance Service in
circumstances such as cardiac arrests, respiratory emergencies, asthma attacks
and other emergencies that require lifesaving skills in a timely fashion.

Senator Mac Lochlainn said:

“I have spoken to firefighters and fire and rescue personnel
here in Donegal on many occasions about their call to be utilised as first
responders for the National Ambulance Service (NAS). These dedicated personnel
are trained by the NAS as first responders with the requisite lifesaving
skills. However, they are having to stand by watching ambulances
struggling to get to life and death emergencies on time when they could
get to the scene first and possibly save those lives.

“I know that they feel that lives may have already have been
lost that could have been saved here in Donegal and elsewhere.

“I have repeatedly raised this issue with
various Ministers for Health and Environment and Local
Government, responsible for the NAS and the fire service across the State.
Indeed, I have met with senior management in the National Ambulance Service and
the Fire Service to discuss how this can happen. Those meetings confirmed there
was no resistance from them.

“However, the most recent response from the Ministers given
to my colleague, Deputy Louise O’Reilly is very frustrating. They have
confirmed that within the HSE an Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Steering
Group has been established to examine this and in the Department of Environment
and Local Government, the Management Board of the National
Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management is examining the matter.

“A few years back, I felt that we were closer to a solution
than this. Back then, all that was required was a memorandum of understanding
on who would cover the costs.

“I will continue to support the calls of
firefighters and fire and rescue personnel across the State until this is
sorted out.”